Ticket system and means therefor



A. 1.. TANNER. TlCKET SYSTEM AND MEANS THEREFOR.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922 6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-15,4919.

A. J. TANNER.

TICKET SYSTEM AND MEANS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15. 1919. 4

1 ,41 3,6 3 1 Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2,

A. J. TANNER. TICKET SYSTEM AND MEANS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION mzu- AUG. 15, 1919. 4

' Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

QM A iY)WWI/ 13M? 45 I TICKET/A A. J. TANNER.

TICKET SYSTEM AND MEANS THEREFOR.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG. l5. 1919.

a SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I I ...1...., L

. s:- m: iii:

Patented Apr; 25, 1922.

A. J. TANNER. TICKET SYSTEM AND MEAN THEREFOR.

4 APPLICATION FILED AUG- 15. 1919. 1,4 1 63 1 Y Patented Apr. 25; -1922.

' a susussusn 5-.

INVENTOR A. 1. TANNRI T|CKET SYSTEM AND MEANS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15. 1919.

1,413,631. Emma Apr. 25, 192 2.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

w 5/2 AS/N caries s a es rarest ar ARNOLD TANNE or NORTH Haven, Com-Emcee, n mes TojJoirnson as 30X COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A conronarron or new YoaK.

TICKET SYSTEM AND MEANS THnnEFon.

Specification of Letters Batent. Patnte d Application filed August 15, 1919. Serial Ito-317,663.

To aZZ whom it may concern: 7 l

Be it l'nownthat I, ARNOLD J. TANNER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of li'orth Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ticket Systems and Means Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to ticket systems and consistsof improved means for producing tickets having individual diiferentiating characteristics and is especially useful for railway and like passenger service wherein zone or stage fares of various denominations are assessed according to the distance travelled by the passenger.

The machine proposed according to this invention has distinctive characteristics differentiating it from ticketmaclnnes heretofore proposed in that it can be successfully employed on a vehicle, while in transit, by selectively setting the machine relatively to the particular zone, in which the vehicle is travelling, and then byv non-selective operationof a member of the machine, uniform tickets bearing determined indications are issued. y

In practice with passenger service systems, as applied to railways, omnibuses and the like, fares are more desirably collected either by prepayment or post-payment, respectively when the passenger is entering or leaving the vehicle. The operator whose duty it is to attend to the collection and checking of fares, is permanently stationed at a fixed collection point, usually on the platform of the vehicle. v

Passengers boarding and leaving the vehicle at different fare points create variable conditions respectingthe fare to be paid, consequently with afairly complicated system, having aconsiderable number of fare points, amongst other faults, the operator is liable to make errors, particularly as regards the amount of the fare. The primary obyectof operation of themachineto issue a ticket' for the correct fare value, becomes purely mechanical, that is, the operation thereof is non-selective for herein a regular operation of a single operating member will issue uni form tickets according to thepermanent setting of the machinefor each fare stage or zone. a

At congested points,v speed: is particularly essential, therefore elimination of calculation on the part of the operator is an important consideration. To permit speeded operation, with natural atte'ndanthardusage, the'improved machine is made. simple and durable of construction, rapid in operation and even though the operator-employs excessive force, when working 'under..pressure, thermachine will remain in perfect working order. The improved means are etlicient in operation and flexible in application so as to meet different conditions. T he bulk of the machine isalso factor to' be considered because available space on a-passjenger vehicle isne'cessarily "75 restricted. The improved machine is accord ingly especially designed to be compact in form, of as few parts asipossible, which. latter feature offers the furtheradvantage-that 1t renders the machine easy .to assemble and means of the tickets issued,'clieck ed with'recording means of the machine,-01'. other means, a complete and precise record of the money or other-value receipts may be easily ascertained. I

The salient features 'of the invention, amongst others hereinafter particularly described are-firstly, the ticket having a plurality of defined divisions or blank-spaces representing zones, or distances between fare points provided thereon" in preparation to receive a designating character or signfin a selected position-or order so as to indicate a determined fare value or value between selected points; secondly, a movable member of the machine having a plurality of printing characters or devices arranged thereon in a manner whereby through successive setting of said member, any one, two or more ofsai'd printing characters are successively brought into a' predetermined printing position relatively to saiddivisions or blank spaces on the ticket; thirdly, the machine is provided with operating means comprising a main determined valuations lever or member carrying or having associated therewith one or more secondary or snbsidiarylevers or'members capable of independent initial operation relatively to said main member whereby the initial operation of said operating means will first eiiect printing of the ticket and give an audible signal of that operation and subsequently the main and secondary member or members will move as one united member and in proper sequence effect feeding and severing of the ticket; and fourthly, the machine is provided with recording means When employing a plurality of secondary levers, each lever operating in unchangeable relation with a device or devices effecting printing in one particular space or division on the ticket; said recording means comprising a'plurality of separately actuatable counters, representing different value denominations, and which counters are capable of being set in de termined. and successive operative relation with said secondary levers whereby different may be recorded by each of sai'ds'econdary levers.

In carrying out the principles of the invention above referred to, various improved details of construction and arrangement oi parts are introduced. Such details also form part of the present invention and the same together with the main features of the invention will be fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating different embodiments of the invention and in which drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of the improved machine, more suitable for a postpayment fare collection system.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a plan view in section taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figures l and 5 illustrate diagramrnati cally a method of arranging the type on a printing drum used with the improved chine;

Figure 6 is a plan view partly in section illustrating a form of machine more suitable for a pro-payment fare collection system;

Figure 7 is a rear elevation showing part ofthe machine;

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line machineusinga blank ticket strip. Referring to the accompanying drawings, m r p r i ularly Flgures '1, 2 and 3, Wh ein 10, represents a casing enclosing the work ing parts of the machine with the exception of the external handle, ll,'secure d to the bifurcated primary operating lever 12 which is pivotally jointed at 13.

he casing is composed of top section 1 1-, front plate 15, side plates '16 and a back plate 1"! which latter plate is retained in place'by thumb nuts 18 and devices 19 interlocking in key-hole slots 20, and through V the use of such fastening devices, the back plate 17 is removable for the purpose oi inserting, when required, a fresh roll2l, con taining strip tickets. This roll is preferably contained within thecasing between we arms of the main lever 12. The roll 21 rests on the roller 22 above the opening 23 in the plate 24. Said opening being provided so that when the diameter of the roller is reduced to certain size warning is given of the fact, when the roller falls through said opening and comes in contact with a bell so as to mnllie the sound thereof. The lever arms, roller and spring plate 25 tend to hold the roll-21-in place without bearings, and the ticket strip from said roll, passes through guide slot 26 in said plate 25, and by this guiding means str ight travel of the ticket strip between teed'roilers 27 and 28 is ensured. V

Having infmind the necessity of providing means torreadily replenishing the supply of tickets, the said back plate is bodily removable so; as it provide a large opening P through which a new roll of tickets may be inserted and the end of the strip easily threaded through the guide slot 26 and be tween the feed rollers 27 a-nd' 28. When the i new roll inserted the operating lever 12 may be in its down position and when occupying this position the feeding mechanism,

comp "ising the pawl 29 and ratchet toothed wheel are iisengaged, then, by means oi knob shaft 32, on which feed rollers 28 are mounted, can berotated to feed. the ticket strip throng-l 'the machine without printing or issuing a ticket. By this same means any irregularity in the feed of the tickets may be corrected by advancing or retracting the ticket stri to bring the permanent printed matter on the strip in proper position "with relation to the matter printed by the ma chine on each ticket as issued. Each opera-- tien of the handle iii in one direction posi-' tively operates the printing, feeding and cring of a ticket in proper sequence. st of allthe handle ll and arms 12 are ssed on. their pivotal bearing 18, independontly oi? the levers 3a which are pivotally mounted on shaft A. plate 36 having extensions orarms 37, is secured to each lever and the arms 37 engage bell-crank levers which are pivotally mounted on the levers The free ends of the levers 38 engagetheir respective notches 39 in vertishaft being limited by a slot .49 in said. 7

- 60 of the detent wheel 61. Then type row 6 cally sliding plunger platens 40. Duringthe downward movement of the handle 11. until the arms 12 engage the shoulders 41 of the levers 34, the bell-crank'levers 38. will be operated by the arms 37 and resulting from this operation the plunger platen 40 is raised with a quick action to effect printing by means of the printing head 42 being brought into contact with the printing type or character in alignment therewith. Continued movement of said bell crank levers is not arrested during the periodthe handle 11, arms 12 and 37 moveindependently of the lovers 334i, and it should be noted, the movement of said bell crank levers is then about the pivotal point After printing is effected the bell crank levers continue to ad vance so as to release the -platen 40 which is returned to its normal position by a quick action imparted by spring 44.. This quick action is utilized to actuate bell crank lever 45 which effects ringingof the bell 46. It should also be noted here that thus, with each printing action, which denotes issue of a proper ticket, an audible signal is given. Further depression of the handle 11 causes engagement of the arms 12 withlevers 34: and. then the said handle, arms, levers and :also the bell crank levers38, move as one unit about the pivotal point 35.

Final downward movement of the handle 11' brings the ticket feeding mechanism into action at the proper time after printing is effected. This feeding mechanism comprises the pawl or dog 29 engaging one of the teeth of ratchet wheel 30; the latter being'secured to gear wheel 47 mounted on shaftlB, which latter shaft passes through the platen 4:0 and serves as a guide therefor, vertical movement of said. platen relativelyt-o said platen. V I V The driving gear Wheel l? meshes with gear 50 fixedly mounted on shaft 32'which also passes through platen 40. The ratio of the gear wheels l7 and 50 is in accordance with the diameter of the feed roller 28 and the width of the ticket to be issued, the dimension of all of said'members being so calculated that turning of the ratchet-wheel .is in an are determined by engagement of the dog 29 with; one tooth of the ratchet 30. Thisensures uniformity in'the-feed and discontinuance of the same when the severing ofthe ticket takes place, consequently buckling of the ticket-strip or another disadvantage cannot occur. l 1

The idler feed rollers 27 are'1nounted on stud shafts 51 and a flat spring 52 is sprung between each shaft 51 and shaft 53 on which printing drum 54 is mounted. The purpose of said spring 52 is to impart spring tension to the contact of the feed rollers 27 with roller 28.

The printing. drum. 54: rotates with; the

shaft 53 which is turned intermittentlybyl means of knob 55, to set the selected printingtype' in alignment with the platen or printing head 42. I A hub or cylindrical'portion 56 of the knob bears indicating characters thereon representing zones or fare pointsand these characters are arranged in proper order relatively to the arrangement of the printing type in the drum, so that, for example, the numeral 2, exposed through the opening 57 in the-cover 58 indicates that the next fare point will be No. 2, which also shows that thevehicle is travelling in the first zone. With this setting of the 'indicat ing device, operation of the machine will issue a ticket with printing matter thereon as illustrated; for example,'in Figures 1 or 2. V

- An example of one method of'carrying out the principle involved in the arrangement of the printing characters or type is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and it is to-be noted the illustrativeexample is designed for a route having seven fare points or six zones, and one scale of eharges,'-five cents for the first two zones and two cents for each zone thereafter. It will be assumed the vehlcle is travelllng in the first zone between points 1 and, 2 and the machine shown in .Figure 2 is. set accordingly. Agreeing with the reading of the indicator, group, column or'rowa of typ'edrum 54 is in'position for service and consequently each division or blank space of the ticket, representing zones, has a fare value printed therein except the point 3 the operator advances the drum one point and thlsoperationis guldedby engagement of the detent 59 iii the next notch is in position forservice and so on, each row of printing'type' is brou gh-tinto'posL tion for service as the'vehicle progresses in its journey from point to .point, the fare values being retrogressively reduced both in number and value until for the last ;z one one character alone is inaposition for printing] An additional column may be addedfor the purpose of issuing aticket.

which will serve as a transfer 7 On the returnjourney ofthe vehicle the .drumis intermittently"v rotated from point to point precisely in the same manner and in the'same direction as before,only columns brought into service. again reaches thestarting point No. 1, the

printing drum will have made one complete rotation on lts axis and is then in position for the next trip;

A consecutive numbering and dating device and'printing meansfare employed and 1o0" first zone which, in this particular instance, I is covered by the payment of the standing or initial fare. When the vehicle arrives at the same may be of any suitable and known form having a train of number wheels which are automatically advanced each operation, and also dating wheels are provided which 'may be changed as required. The numbering device 62 has an impression taken therefrom on each ticket by means of an extension 6-3 of the platen 4H) but desirably the print is taken on the ticket next in line to the one being issued that a record may be kept of the number of tickets issued curing a given time.

Each operation of printing a ticket advances the numbering device by means of rocking arm M which receives motion through the link connection 65 from the re ceding movement of the platen extension 63. The arm 64L also causes rotation of the ribbon drum 66 through engagement of the log 6'? with the teeth of ratchet secured to said orum 66. The printing ribbon is taken from drum 69 and for the purpose of rewinding the ribbon on the drum 69, external knob 70 is provided on the end of the shaft- TI on which drum ei) is mounted.

The ticket severing device consists of the knife bladeTZ and carrier plate 73, which latter plate has legs 74 terminating as rods 75 having a sliding bearing in bosses 76 in the plate 24. Nuts 77 and 78 are provided respectively for adjusting the cutting device and for regulating the tension ofthe spring 79 which returns the knife blade carrier to the normal or down position, whereby the open ing 80 through the cross, member 81 is left clear for the passage of theticket. The extremities 82 of the levers 34, engage the car rier 73 after the ticket feeding action is completed. The cutting edge 83 of the knife is preferably serrated and to give a shearing cut the knife blade is given'an oscillatory motion by the pinsior rivets 84.

-VVhen the ticket is severed, the operator relaxes pressure on the handle 11 thereby allowing spring 85 to return the levers 34- to their normal or down position, and also by this action, permitting the spring 86 to bring the handle arms 12 and bell crank levers 38 to their normal position. The spring 86, at the end of the return movement of the entire operating means after the same ceases to move as one unit, acts against the handle 12 to give a cushioning efi'ect alone or infconjunction with the cushion 87. By this means, even if the operator suddenly releases the handle, the latter and its associated members, will not return with a snap so as to unduly the machine and cause undesirable results both as regards the operation of the machine and its wear.

The machine may be mounted on any suitable base, but desi'rablywhen used on a vehicle having a rail such as 88, applied to define ingress and egress passages for the passengers, the machine is detachably mounted on such a rail. The particular means for at-- tachment, shown in Figure 2, comprises a base 89 having lugs 90, and said base being permanently secured to the base plate 91 of the machine. One of the lugs carries a pin 92 which engagesa hole in the rail 88. The other lug carries a bolt 93 and winged nut 94 and which attachment, when the nut 94 is loosened, permits the-bolt to be pulled through the key hole slot 95. This means of attachment facilitates removal of the machine to different points of the vehicle. I I

The top surface of the cover 1 1 is de pressed to form a till 96 and projecting from the side plate 13 are turning buttons 97-98 and 99 whereby the date printed on the ticket may. be conveniently changed. EOOrepresents a look by means of-which the operating levers anr. associated parts may be locked when desired.

The embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described is adapted for a postpayment of the fare and in which case it is required that the ticket should serve as means for indicating the fare the passengel" has to pay when he is about to leave the car. According to the arrangement, one, two or more of the printing type arebrought into service by the initial movement in the operation of issuing the ticket. The fare amount for all untraversed zones will be indicated on each ticketand assessed from the zone in which the ticket is delivered in a manner so as to be: readable by the holder of the ticket, as well as by the operator.

Figures 6, 7, S, 9, and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention as applied toja machine-useful for a prepayment fare system, in which case the passenger pays the fare when entering the car. The principles involved in the first described embodiment are all found in the present embodiment'and a number of parts, bearing the same referonce characters are substantially alike. The machine. though, differs primarily in that therein the printing type are separately and individually brought into service, and besides counting the to'tal number of operations by means of the ticket consecutive numboring devices, hereinbefore referred to, a registration indicating separate determined values is recorded by means of a series of counters. For instance, with the ticket illustrated in Figure 11, one counter will always indicate the multiple of 6c value tickets issued, another 129; tickets, the third 18 tickthe a ticket with the proper destination indication and value receipt thereon, and the operation of any one of said keys will effect issue of a ticket in the manner aforesaid and effect a recordi indication of the value being carried between the operating levers 23 i, ineretore'the roll is mounted higher up within the casing, under the hinged cover 101, which held in a closed position by a fastening device 102 carried by the cross member 103. Spring clips 10% (shown on dotted lines,) provide a bearing for the roll and the ticket strip is guided through an opening 26 in spring plate 105 Which plate bears a .d imparts tension on continuous shaft 106 having mounted thereon idler feed roller or rollers 27. The detent Wheel 61 has ratchet teeth engaged by thepa vl 59 in a manner so that the printing drum 54; can be rotated in one direction only, as indicated by the arrow, and this limitation will prevent the operator from turning the drum backwa "ds for any purpose.

Any approved printing meanssuch asa ribbon and suitable feeding mechanism may 0 employed with this or the other embodit ot' the invention. lith, this embodiment, the ribbon 101' travels at right angles the ticket strip, from one ribbon drum i to another. 'llotation of one of the ribbonflrums. or both. a known form of automatic feed reversii'lg device is employed, may be effected by means otzdog' 109 carried on one of the levers 34:. the lovers 3% to teed a ticket, causes operation the ribbon feeding device.

Tie machine is detacliably mounted. as in the former instance one suitablebase, but in the latter instance the means employed consists of a pillar 108 having top plate 109 to which the bottom plate 91 of The levers are in construction and en- 7 3': era-l arran ement relatively to the ticket printing, feeding and severin mechanism,

substantially the same as before, but instead of a single operating handle 11 a plurality of Each operation of machine is secured by nut 110 and stud are selectively and successively brought into the path of the projections 116 of which there is'one on each key lever 112. A series of separately actuatable platens 118 are employed and each plate'n co-operates e' With its individual key lever 112 by engagement of the free end ofthe latter'with the notch 39. Operation of any selected key 112 Willetlect printing through raising of the platen associatedtherewith substantially the distance allowed by slot 117 through 'Which a common supporting rod 117 passes. The value registered by the counting mechanism depends on Which arm is lying in the path of the projection 11 6 of key operated, and the proper or agreeing'value printed on the ticket depends on the'co'rrect setting ofthe printing drum 54. w Correct setting of the value registration and destination indication and value printed on the ticket-relatively to each other andwvith respect to the location of the vehicle mayreadily beeitected and ascertained by means of the'indicators 138 and 139. By means of indicator 138 a reading ofthe relative posi tion of the printing drum 54'is obtained. In Figure 5, the type or character of group or column a are shown in position for service, and the machine s assumed to be set for operation While the vehicle is in the first zone. The space between columns 6 andf 'is be tore the opening in the indicator 138', and in said space, in proper relative order, the same values contained in column a are printed inconspicuous readable type. v This indicator l38'shows the fare values relatively to the destinations appearing on orvexposed by the pivoted mask 33. The pther indicator 139 shows the fare value which Will vbe printed and recorded for any selected desti nation by operation of the respective key;

Indicator 139 consists of a strip 119 bearing thereon printed matter representing fare values which are progressively and successively brought before this glazed opening of the indicator, withlthe movement or the sliding carrier 113. i I 1 In Figure. 6 the ticket issued, is intended for a four zone'route but'it will be understood the operation and general arrangement is the sameas With other examples of tickets,

only of course there would be a key and as};

,sociated recording and indicatingdevi'ce for each and every zone. According to this seting'oi the machine, the vehicle is in the first zone and key II has been'operated to deliver a ticket to a passenger Whose destination is Within zone Not2aiid the farepaid is 12 cents. Passengers having zone No. 1,

3 or l as their destination would have ticket issued to them valued respectively 6' cents, 18ceI1ts, and24l cents. Assuming now that the vehicle has reachedjzone No.2, the

operator turns knob 55 one point and nu meral II will appear before the opening'57 and on indicator 138 the indicated fare value for the remaining untraversed Zones Nos. 2, 3, and 1 would be respectively 6 cents, 12 cents and 18 cents. At the end of the journey, continued rotation of the drum will bring the reading in a reverse order, namely. values 6 cents, 12 cents, 18 cents and 2 1 cents respectively for zones Nos. 4, 3, 2 and 1 and so on progressively until for the next trip the printing drum is brought into proper position, and the operation of changing carried on as before. The arrangement of the printed matter added to the ticket by the machine will indicate the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Thechange in the relative position of the recording means is effected by turning knob 120 to rotate worm 121, which engages a thread on the base 1220f the sliding member 113. By this means the said member is caused to slide to bring the'various value recorders progressively into cooperative relation with the various keys. The movement of the sliding member is to and fro and carries duplicate recording devices, excepting the lowest or first value 6 cents, which may be used in either journey of the vehicle;

therefore a duplicate of the same is unnecessary unless a separate detailed count is to be kept of trafhc returns between any two fare points.

. The sliding carrier 113 is enclosed within a housing 123 which may be locked toprevent unauthorizedaccess thereto. Furthermore a record is taken of the operation of the sliding carrier, by means of the counter 124 which is connected to theworm 121 by suitable transmission means, gearing 125 for instance, in a manner that improper operation of the sliding carriers can bedetected. Each plunger platen 118 has its individual spring 41-1 for returning it to its normal position and the tension of said springmay be adjusted by means of nut 126. In its return movement the end of the operated platen strikes the bell crank lever 15 .so to ring the bell e6. The end of this lever, 127, is T-shaped so as to be in line to engage any one of the platens so that ringing of the bell is effected by operation of any one of the platens.

The machine is sodesigned that to issue a ticket one of the keys effecting printing must be operated, the only access to the operating leversil-ft being through the keys. "When one of the keys is depressed, this operation having caused the printing and the platen being restored to its normal posit-ion, the operated key strikes the tie rod 128 between the levers 34 and then continued de- 'pression of the key operates the levers 3% against the return springs 129, effecting the feeding of the ticket and subsequently, when feeding is completed, the severing of the ticket.

The initial movement of the operated key lever is about the pivot 413 and when the tie bar 128 is engaged the operating levers 34. and all the keys 112 move with the said levers 34: as one unit, about the pivot constituted by shaft Sufficient movement is allowed the operated key lever 112 so as to give the registering counter arm115, for the time being engaged by the projection 116 on said key, the required movement to record a count. The housing 123 it will be seen, has slots 129 cut therein to receive the projections 116 and, thereby the movement of the operated keys is not arrested until the said key strikes the shaft 32. i

It may not be required that the machine should consecutively number the tickets because such matter may previously have been printed on the ticket with other matter, but to retain a record of the number of tickets issued, and to facilitate counting and check ing ofthe tickets and receipts with the number of passengers carried, a counter 130 may be provided and be operated from the levers 341. In case it is required, a total adding value device 131 is included and the same, as well as any detail adding devices employed, may, as before stated, be of any well known form, such as employed for example, with cash registers in common use and wherein motion is imparted to the index dials of the register through a shaft rotated according to the value of the key operated.

Referring to Figure 9, herein the ticket severing device is more clearly shown. The movable knife blade 72, having a saw tooth cutting edge 83, severs the ticket, but not entirely, a fractional part remaining uncut so that the ticket will not fall or be blown away before the passenger takes it. The unsevered portion of the ticket will readily tear before resistance of the ticket feed roller is pvercome to permit pulling out of the strip.

The groove 132 formed in the cross piece 81 ensures a better cutting edge, and be cause of the length of the ticket to be cut, the cutting is effected by a shearing out obtained by oscillatory motion ofthe knife blade 7 2 on the blade carrier (78 which latter member has a vertical movement only.

The blade is allowed oscillatory movement through the connection provided by pin 84 and slot 133. The angular or cam slot 134, engaging the roller on pin 135, effects later-- al movement of the knife blade and spring 136 secured at one end to the pin 84 on the knife blade and at the other end to pin 137 on the carrier, gives a quicker action to the oscillatory motion of the knife blade.

Referring to Figure 10, illustrating in a slightly modified form the working parts of the mechanism which effects operation of the printing, feeding, severing and registering devices of the machine. The operramps];

ating lever 34 of which there are preferably two, one on each side of the machine to obtain a well balanced construction, is shown by full lines as being in its normal position.

The type lever key is shown iirtiill lines as'being in the depressed position it is in when printing is effected- This lever 112 is about to release the platen 118 which is in its raised or printing position. This keylever is moved to said full line position by turning on the pivot 4:3, in a path represented by line Further movement downward on the pivot 43 will first bringthe' inner end of the lever against teed roller 28.,

then continued pressure on't-he key creates a componndage ofthe movement and leverage of the several levers. T he pair 01" levers 34% being united together by the rodflfiti, they 1 are moved as one nnit about the pivot 35 in a path represented by line 3/. 'The end oi the lever 112 bearing on the roller 28 is for the time beingithe fulcrum iromwhich the mechanism operates. Pressurebrought to bear on said key, when feeding iseffected between the full line position and first bro ken line position of the lever 34, will be an ad'- vantage in that'the contact of said key with I the roller will act as a brake or checkagainst spinning thetecd roller particularly as the severing of the ticket takes place; when the end 82 ot the lever 23 i is in its highest ,movement the printing platen is moved upward sharply to eil'ect a perfec't print'. the returning movement, when pressure on the key is relaxed. spring 86 having a quicker action than spring l29ythe'oper :ited key will return to'its normal position, lyingon the shaft el-S with the companion keys, which during the foregoing operation remained in this position. lVhen inftheir normal position the keys all travel substan tially in the arc of a circle havingthe'pivotal poias a center, The keys arereturned to their normal po;

sition by individual springs 86 and the ends.

oilthe keys readily enter into reentagement with their respective notches in the platenS 113, but if required a pawl or other device to break the ends or the' levers in thedii'ecg tion of the return movement oi the key may: be employed. I

Figure 11 illustrates a specimentiek et whereon all the. printed matter lS'lli'llQZlllllQd on a blank ticket strip by the machine and in which case the printing characters or marks include the fare value denominations and indication ot the destinations in respect of which the fares are payable.

The operation of the improved. means is i values, among other. things Y increasin 'iiumbe'r of zones.

simple as will be gathered, the operator need only set the machine correctl in the first instance and thereafter-by a purely mechanical action on his part readily and quickly I change the registering and printing devices at each" zone. W'ith the means provided the change may be made correctly with sense of feeling only and'liurthermore the passenger may, by means'oi the indicator, readily determine for himself, just what tare he mustpay to any selected'farepoint.

It may be i'nentioned the drawings here with illustrate the machine approximately full size and this machine is adaptable for on any route haviiig as an example, three to eight zones and an equal number oi fare values. The first I embodiment de-,

scribed, that fora post-payment tare collection system, can be 'more readily adapted 'whore diti'erentconditions exist; because herein adaptation is accomplished by merely cl'ianging the printingdrum-and tickets.

Naturally in instances wherethere is a greaternumber of Zones a ticket of proportionately greater length must accordingly be a employed, but only so as to obtain .a'clear reading of the printedfmatter thereon. In

practice it may be desirable to .manutactu re say three standard sized'mach'in'es, for example, the smallest sizeq i or iise with from three to eight zones inclusive; the next size for use with from nine to fifteen zon es inclusive j and" the largest-size tor sixteen to twenty "two zones inclnsivei f'lli'e smallest sized machine will meet mostrequirements.

andthe largest sizewould be torexcqationztl cases'only.

The movable printing'druin' and the ar rangcment of the printing type or characters thereon in a manner as descrlbed herein is an important feature of this invention,

and. the utility thereof in computing fare ncreases with with a sin: zone route, tor*wl1ich the arrange ment shown .lllj FlQlllQ 4i is .intendechthore may be as"'many,as twenty iarelchanges in.

, For instance.

each journey, 'i o'1'ty, cli aiiges in the entire" lilith a twelve zone ro ite there can be seventy eight cli'anigesflin each journey Complexity increases progressively with the increase in the number of Zones on'ac'co int oi the retrogressive reductioiiof the fares as the enicle advances consequently the operate apt to make-mistakes and the pasiii doubt and requires an exsen ger s o tten p A vefd .y'si'ei receives a ticket when he boards i-tli-eve'hicle and whether or not he .then makes a payment is accordi g. to the systemjemployed; In any event, the ticketisin the possession of the passen er andgtl eticket is an ll'ldl'r catorwhich will inform the passenger exactly what fareheimust pay the amount of ii the passenger which is always assessed from the point he boarded the vehicle. And, it the passenger desires to contribute towards perfecting the service. he will ascertain. by inspecting the ticket the amount oi? the rare payable at his destination, and he will then have the fare ready to hand the operator stationed at the pay-point.

Furthermore, the tickets provide means w iereby the companys officials or inspectors may readily check the returns and detect irregularities, which supervision will cause the operator to be careful and not let discrepancies occur.

The tickets are preferably returned to the operator when the passenger leaves the vehicle and each receipt of a post-payment fare, or an excess amount of a pie-payment fare, may be recorded by means of registers or registering i'are boxes now in use.

Modifications of the details of construction in the means hereinbeliore describedand illustrated in the drawings may readily be conceived and carried out, and it is to be understood all modifications coming fairly within the terms of the appended claims shall be covered thereby.

I claim- 1. In a stage 'lare ticket issuing machine,

a printing device having thereon a plurality of characters arranged by groups in graded relative order whereby progressive selective setting movement oi said member will suecessively place each of said'groups separately and progressively in co-operative re lation with other means associated therewith, and which latter means are'capable of non-selective operation to effect printing of determined fare indicating matter on a ticket.

2. In a stage fare ticketissuing machine, a non-reversible printing member having thereon a plurality oi characters arranged by groups in graded relative order to form two divisions, one division having the characters thereof in reverse order relatively to the characters of the other divlsion.

' 3. In a stage fare ticket issuing machine,

of printing characters, arranged in determined order and adapted to be used on a ticket having thereon means such as stage indications which in combination with said printing characters will indicate a selected fare-point and a determined relative tare value.

6. In a ticket system for a multiple stage fare collection system, means comprising a non-reversible progressively movable memher having thereon a plurality of printing characters denoting graded valuations and aligned by groups in determined order and adapted to be used on a ticket having stage indications thereon which in conjunction with an imprint from said characters will indicate a selected destination and determined relative t'are value.

7. In a ticket system "for a multiple stage fare collection system, means comprising a non-reversible rotary member having two divisions, each division having in reversed relative order groups of characters denoting fare values and the characters of each group being arranged in a determined graded order so as to be retrogressively reduced both in number and value .as said member is progressively rotated.

8. In a multiple stage fare ticket system, a ticket printing machine having a movable printingmember arranged to be reset at ing characters in determined graded order representing by'location fare points and their respective fare values accordingto the position of said printing member when the printing operation is effected.

9. In a multiple stage fare ticket system, a ticket printing machine having a progressively, non-returnable, rotating member arranged to be re-set at every stage point and having thereon printing characters 1n determined order representing by location fare points and their respective are values according to the position of printing member relatively to the ticket at the time the printing operation is efi ected. 10. in a ticket system for a multiplestage every. stage point and having thereon print fare collection system, a ticket issuing ma chinehaving an intermittently, non reversible, rotatable member having a plurality of printing characters or marksthereon arranged in groups or rows to form two divisions; the characters or marks, of one diision being a duplication of the characters or marks'o'f the other division, but arranged in reversed order relatively thereto the number of characters or marks in thegroups or rows of each division retrogressively diminishing as said rotatable member is. progressively rotated; and devices whereby an imprint indicative of a determined fare or fares with respect to a destination point or points is obtained singularly or collectiyely from the characters or marks of the groups of either division when the same are 1n printing relation with said devices.

11. In a ticket system for a multiple stage.

fare collection system, means comprising an intermittently operating member having printing devices arranged in a determined order according to fare points andrespective fare values and capable of selective setting for non-selective operation to print indicating matter on a ticket.

.12. Ina multiple stage fareticket system, means comprising an intermittently nonreturnable operating member having printing devices arranged in determined order with respect to the stage points and adapted to be a ticket having defined spaces corresponding with the stage-points; means for selectively and intermittently turning and indicating the position of said operating member; and means operative non-selectively for producing an imprint from one or more of-said printing devices.

13. In a ticket system for a passenger service system having multiple stage fare points, ,means comprising an intermittently nonreturnable operating member having printing devices arranged in a determined order with respect to said stage fare points and adapted to be a ticket having defined spaces or indications corresponding tousaid fare points; means for effecting progressive setting of said operating member; and means for producingan imprint from any selected printing device.

14;. In a stage fare ticket system, a ticket issuing machine employinga blank ticket strip and being provided 5 with means comprising. a non-returnable progressive setting member having thereon printing devices representing both fare points and respective fare values arranged in a determined order: and means for effecting a selected imprint from one or more of said printing devices on a ticket taken from Said ticket strip.

' 15. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting; non selective operating means for effecting a single or repeated action of said mechanism to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating variable fares between changing fare points: and said printing mechanism comprising a printing member having thereon characters representing fare indications arranged in a determined graded order relatively to said fare points.

16. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting: non-selective operating means for effecting a single or repeated action of said mechanism to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating variable fares between changing fare points: said printing mechanism com-,

prising a printing member having thereon characters representing fare indications arranged in a determined graded order rela-' tively to said fare points: and said printing member consisting of a rotating drum with printing charactersv thereon arranged in di visions. subdivided into groups whereby direction of destination is indicated besides indicationof fare valuation to or between one or more fare points. I

17. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting: non-selective operating means-for effecting a single or repeated ac tionof said mechanism to produce one or more tickets'bearing thereon printed matter indicating variable faresbetween changing fare points; said printing mechanism comprising a printing member having thereon characters representing fare indications ar ranged inpa determined graded order relatively to'said fare points, and said printing member being provided'with means for proe gressively S6tt-1I1gtl16-S3J1l8 and indicating its set position.

19. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting; non-selectiveoperating means for effecting a single or repeated action of said mechanism to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating variable fares between changing fare points; said printing mechanism comprising-a printing member having thereon characters representing fare indications-ariranged in a determined graded order relatively to said fare points, and said printing mechanism comprising a platen capableof being brought into printing relation with a printing character or characters set into operative relation therewith.

20. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism. capable of selective setting; non-selective operating means for effecting a single or repeated action of said mechanism to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating variable fares between changing fare points; said printingmechanism comprising a printing member having thereon characters representing fare indications arranged in a determined graded order relatively to said fare points, and said printing mechanism having a device co-operatively associated therewith for audibly signalling every printing operation.

21. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting; non-selective operating a means for effecting a single or repeated acnism; ticket severing mechanism; non-selective operating means for effecting single or repeated action of allof said mechanism in determined sequence to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating changing fares between changing fare points.

23. A multiple stage tare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting; ticket feeding mechanism; ticket severing mechanism; non-selective operating means for effecting single or'repeated action of all of sald mechanism in determined sequence to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating changing fares between changing fare points; and an operating member for said mechanisms having one part capable of independent initial movement relatively to the other part to efiect separately the printing operation and by continued movement of the first part effecting movement of the other part to effeet the ticket feeding and severing operation.

graded order rela-- A --multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selectivesetting; ticket feeding mechanism; ticket severing mechanism; non-selective operating means for effecting single or repeated action of all of said mechanism in determined sequence to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating changing fares between changing fare points; and said feedingmechanism having ticket feeding rollers comprising a driven roller and a tension roller on which pressure is imparted by a bent leaf spring interposed between the shaft of said tension roller and a fixed point. r

25. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting; ticketfeeding mechanism; ticket severing mechanism; non-selective operating means for efie'c'ting single or repeated action of all of said mechanism in determined sequence to produce one or more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating changing fares between changing fare points; and ticket severing mechanism operated at the final movement of said operating means and said severing mechanism comprising a saw tooth cutting blade to which an oscillatory movement is imparted.

p 26. A multiple stage fare ticket machine having ticket printing mechanism capable of selective setting; ticket feeding mechanism; ticket severing mechanism; non-selective operating means for effecting single or repeated action of all of said mechanism in determined sequence to produce oneor' more tickets bearing thereon printed matter indicating changing fares between changing fare points; and a casing in which all the mechanism is enclosed; with the respective means for setting and operating said mechanism extending from said casing; and means on said casing for clamping the machine to a stationary point. I

Signed at North Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut this 14th day of August A. D. 1919.

ARNOLD J. TANNER. 

